Captain America: Brave New World follows the election of Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) as the new U.S. President. This power shift quickly puts Sam Wilson in the middle of a growing international crisis. What begins as a routine political meeting soon escalates into something far more dangerous, forcing Sam to uncover the true masterminds behind the chaos. As he navigates a web of deception and high-stakes conflicts, he must prove to the world and himself that he is more than ready to carry the mantle of Captain America.

Where Brave New World truly shines is in its character dynamics. Mackie brings his own flavor to Captain America. Not only does he deliver the same charm and determination that made Sam Wilson a fan favorite, but his creative use of the shield, especially when combined with his Falcon tech, makes for some of the best action sequences in the movie. Also, his friendship with Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) is another highlight. The two share an easygoing, joke-filled camaraderie that feels authentic—like two friends who have been roasting each other for years. Torres, in particular, is a scene-stealer with his constant commentary and enthusiasm.

Despite several issues, Captain America: Brave New World delivers intense action, political intrigue, and a stellar Mackie as Cap.

On the political side of things, Harrison Ford makes for a solid President Ross. While he brings gravitas to the role, some lines feel slightly off, almost like they didn’t fit quite right with the rest of the script. Still, seeing Ford in the MCU is fun, and his presence adds weight to the film. However, the real MVP of Brave New World is Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley. His story was already one of the most potent parts of the show, and here, it’s even more emotionally gripping. Every moment Lumbly is on screen, you feel the pain, the history, and the injustice that shaped his life. He doesn’t just add emotional depth—he anchors the film in something real and personal.

That said, Brave New World isn’t without flaws. While the political thriller aspect is intriguing, the pacing can sometimes drag. The film juggles multiple storylines, and it’s clear that rewrites and reshoots had an effect. Some characters feel underdeveloped, and specific plot threads don’t fit together seamlessly. There are moments where it feels like the movie is trying to do too much, leading to occasional pacing issues. However, the action sequences do a lot to compensate for this. Every fight scene is choreographed precisely, and seeing Sam fully embrace his fighting style as Captain America is incredibly satisfying.

Despite some structural issues, Captain America: Brave New World is a strong debut for Anthony Mackie’s Captain America. It’s a different kind of Marvel film that takes time to build its world, weave its politics, and explore the weight of its legacy. While it’s not perfect, it’s an exciting and worthy continuation of the Captain America legacy, proving that Sam Wilson has more than earned his place as the MCU’s new Cap.

Rating: 3.5/5 atoms

Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14th.

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During the panel, Mackie was asked about Tom Holland and couldn’t resist a playful jab at his expense about not having his own movie. Mackie replies, “I don’t have a movie, but he’s not 5’11”. Well, now I have a movie, and he’s still not 5’11.” This light-hearted banter sets the tone for the highly anticipated Captain America: Brave New World, where Mackie steps into the iconic role of Captain America.

Adamantium and Red Hulk in Full

In Captain America: Brave New World, the story takes a dramatic turn when a celestial being from The Eternals introduces adamantium, a rare and powerful metal extracted from this being. The Serpent Society, a formidable group of villains, sets its sights on obtaining this metal, putting Sam Wilson in their crosshairs. As tensions escalate, the White House is engulfed in flames. Amidst the turmoil, Sam Wilson attends a critical meeting, only to be told by Ross that this is just politics. Ultimately, we get our first complete look at the Red Hulk, a fearsome blend of Harrison Ford’s character and the iconic comic book persona.

Giancarlo Esposito Joins the Cast

Fan casting dreams have come true with Giancarlo Esposito joining the cast as the King of the Serpent Society, Sidewinder. Esposito shared, “When your dreams come true, and you get the call, you walk through them.”

Sam Wilson’s Grounded Approach

Captain America: Brave New World brings a grounded perspective similar to the Winter Soldier‘s. Despite lacking superpowers, Sam Wilson navigates the action through his cerebral and thoughtful nature. He maintains his compassionate yet firm approach as a counselor. As Mackie says, he’s ready to “punch you in the face and then counsel you.”

Discover all the latest at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.

Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14, 2025.

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The scene opened at the White House in Washington, D.C. President Ross is conversing with his staff while enjoying a lollipop, a substitute for his usual cigars. In a sort of meta joke, Sam talks about how different he looks without the mustache. Ross jokingly noted that he either had to “lose the mustache or the election.”

In a gripping turn of events, the footage features President Ross urging Sam Wilson to rebuild the Avengers in the aftermath of Endgame. While giving a speech to his military advisors and other guests, Ross mentions a “discovery of the millennium” that thieves stole from a Japanese mining site.

Suddenly, a song over the loudspeaker interrupted Ross’s speech, triggering something inside Isaiah Bradley and another sleeper agent. This eventually leads to a shootout between Bradley and this unknown agent against Sam and the Secret Service agents. Even President Ross joins the fray, throwing a punch as Sam tells Ross that the “inner circle has been compromised.”

Mackie tells EW, that Brave New World feels “10 times bigger” than The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. “One of the biggest conversations we had from the beginning was for this not to be Falcon and the Winter Soldier — Part 2, for this to be its own movie with its own story, with its own characters,” he continues.

While details about the film are still under wraps, one thing is certain—the return of familiar faces. Liv Tyler will reprise her role as Betty Ross, marking her first appearance since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. The movie will also reintroduce Tim Blake Nelson as the villain Samuel Sterns/The Leader.

Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14, 2025.

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